He held her for a moment, just feeling the weight of her in his arms, the warmth of her skin against his. The city outside, with its constant hum and its millions of stories, seemed insignificant compared to the small, perfect orbit they had created there, at the top of the world. The fireplace continued to crackle softly, and the glow of the infinity pool seemed a reflection of their own hearts beating in unison.
Daniel let out a sigh of satisfaction, a sound that vibrated in his chest and Elara felt it. "Good," he said, his voice returning to a more matter-of-fact tone, but still containing affection and possession. He lingered slightly, his arm still wrapped around her waist. The sight of their sweaty bodies tangled in the silk sheets was a testament to the intensity of the night."Let's take a shower and rest."He touched her face again, a gentle caress."But first",he added, an amused glint in his eyes,"I wanted the answer."The pause and the reminder were an indication that he remembered everything, every word, every promise. Elara's answer, the confession of her belonging, was the final piece of the puzzle for that moment. He had gotten what he wanted, and now, and only now, could they rest.
The satisfaction was complete. He moved to stand, pulling the sheets with him to cover their bodies. The promise of a warm bath, relaxed muscles, and a peaceful sleep in each other's arms was an irresistible invitation, a reward for the intensity of the night. Elara heard the sound, her eyes still fixed on his, a new understanding of her place in Daniel's world. What had begun as a game of seduction and power had transformed into something deeper, something Elara couldn't name but felt in every fiber of her being. And she was ready for whatever Daniel invited her to be.
Daniel released her with the same gentleness he had used to kiss her forehead, and the movement brought him back to the reality of the room. The golden light from the gas fireplace danced softly, creating a spectacle of long shadows across the tangled silk sheets and their naked bodies. Elara, still lying on her stomach, felt the cool air touch her sweaty skin the moment he pulled away. The contrast made her shiver, a vivid reminder of the storm of pleasure that had passed between them. Daniel's voice, a mixture of satisfaction and the promise of rest, echoed softly in the room.
"Let's take a shower and rest," he said, his hand now gently stroking the top of her head. The proposal was an invitation to a different kind of intimidation, a moment of calm after the intensity. Without waiting for a verbal response, Daniel declared himself from the bed. His athletic body, sculpted by strength and self-control, moved with effortless grace, his skin smooth and gleaming in the flickering light. Elara inspired him for a moment, the sight of him, naked and powerful, a work of art that seemed to belong in those luxurious sanctuaries. His silhouette was a dark shadow against the glow of the city that stretched endlessly beyond the picture window.
Elara sat up in bed, her messy hair falling over her shoulders. Physical exhaustion was evident in her muscles, but her mind was on high alert, vibrating with the energy of everything that had happened. She felt as if she had been reset, reborn from the ashes of her former life. The nickname "lotus flower" resonated in her mind, a reminder of what she was to him: a beauty emerging from the darkness, something sacred and untouchable.
He held out his hand to her. "Come, my woman." The possession in his voice wasn't a prison, but a confirmation she transmitted through the world. She took his hand, feeling the strength and firmness in his grip. Daniel helped her up from the bed, and the contact of their bodies rekindled a spark of desire, though now tempered by a sense of tenderness.
He led her to a discreet, brushed steel door she hadn't noticed before. Opening it, Elara was greeted by a new display of luxury and design. The bathroom was a vast sanctuary of polished black marble and glass, with indirect lighting emanating from cracks in the ceiling and floor. An entire wall was a window, revealing an equally stunning view of the city. The air was warm and slightly humid, with a soft scent of sandalwood and mint. It was yet another reflection of Daniel's minimalist, grandiose aesthetic.
In the center of the room, a massive marble-and-porcelain bathtub seemed like an oasis. But it was the shower stall, a transparent glass structure that occupied an entire corner, that caught his attention. The stall was so large it felt like its own room, with jets of water shooting from multiple directions and a built-in marble seat. Daniel stepped into the stall first, his slender, strong body an impressive sight. He turned on the shower, and the hot water, spraying in multiple jets from the ceiling and walls, filled the space with a fragrant, comforting steam.
"Come," he called to her, his voice echoing softly through the marble space.
Elara stepped into the shower, feeling the hot water pounding against her skin, washing away the sweat and tension of the night. She closed her eyes for a moment, sighing in relief. Daniel stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist from behind. He pulled her close, his muscular chest pressing against her back. The hot water beat down on their heads and down their bodies, creating a barrier of steam and intimidation between them and the rest of the world.
He picked up a bar of soap from a marble niche. The soap, made of dark clay, exuded a fresh scent of mint and cedar. He began to lather Elara's back, his hands moving in firm, circular motions, cleansing and massaging. Elara leaned against him, feeling completely safe in his arms. His voice, now close to her ear, was a whisper.
"You take me to places I didn't know existed," he murmured, repeating the words she'd said in bed. Elara felt a shiver run through her. She turned to face him, his arms still around her waist. The water continued to fall on them, mingling with the tears she hadn't known she was crying. They were tears of collapse, of surrender, of a happiness she'd never felt before.
Daniel held her tighter, his face serious as the warm water ran down her face. He leaned in and kissed her, not with the frenetic passion of before, but with a tenderness that made her feel as if she were floating. It was a slow, deep kiss, a silent promise that he would protect her. He broke the kiss and, with his questions, wiped the tears from her face.
"My lotus flower," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He took a small, soft towel and gently washed her face. That gesture, so simple, was more intimate and revealing than any act of passion. Elara felt her heart open wide to him.
Then it was her turn. She picked up the soap, and her hands, hesitant at first, found themselves lathering Daniel's chest and arms. She felt the hardness of his muscles, the subtle scars on his arms, and the warm, soft skin beneath her fingers. He closed his eyes for a moment, surrendering to her touch, and Elara saw that beneath the armor of power and control, he was just a man. And she was touching him in a way no one else could.
"You are my universe, Daniel," she whispered, like words coming from her heart. "You showed me that there is more than I thought, and now I can't imagine my life without you. You gave me the courage I didn't have to leave." The marble and glass shower continued to bathe them with jets of warm, scented water, and Elara felt the tension in her body dissipate, washed away by the water and Daniel's gentle touch. He soaped her, his strong, firm fingers massaging her back and arms, and Elara reciprocated, her hands exploring his smooth, muscular skin. That moment, simple and pure, was as intimate as any act of passion they had shared. The tenderness and care in his gestures were a new form of language between them, proof that the night had been more than just sex. She felt not only desired, but cared for.
After what felt like an eternity and the blink of an eye, Daniel turned off the water. The steam began to dissipate, revealing once again the vast, breathtaking view of New York City through the glass wall. He grabbed warm, fluffy towels from a wall-mounted towel warmer and gently wrapped Elara in one. With his fingertips, he dried her hair, a gesture so tender it made her sigh. Elara did the same for him, a towel sliding over his muscles. The scent of cedar and peppermint soap mingled with the scent of their clean skin.
Back in the bedroom, the lights from the gas fireplace still danced, casting welcoming shadows. The bed, with its tangled silk sheets, seemed an irresistible invitation. They lay down again, Elara nestled in Daniel's arm, and he drew her close, the warm sheets covering them. The silence that shook them was no longer tense or full of anticipation. It was a silence of peace and contentment, of tired bodies and connected souls. Elara closed her eyes, feeling Daniel's strong pulse against the back of her neck, the warmth of his body comforting her. The city lights outside seemed like a distant mirage, a parallel universe she could no longer reach. Elara's universe was now that room, that man. She felt safe, protected, and for the first time in a long time, completely at peace. She fell asleep, lulled by the rhythm of Daniel's breathing and the soft crackling of the fireplace.
They slept deeply, a sleep of exhaustion and contentment that lasted a full night, without dreams or nightmares. The fireplace, set to turn off after a few hours, fell silent, and the room was plunged into a importunate darkness. The artificial light from the city outside was the only source of illumination, a soft glow streaming through the windows.
The transition from night to day was a cinematic spectacle. Elara felt a shift in the air. The cold darkness of the night gave way to a blue-gray glow that filtered through the panoramic windows. The sun rose somewhere in the east, its first rays coloring the sky. The deep blue of the night sky turned a pale gray, then a soft purple-pink, and finally, an orange-gold that painted the low clouds over the city. The horizon lit up in warm tones, and the skyscrapers, which had previously been mere dark silhouettes, now revealed themselves in all their glory. The room, which had once been a refuge from the night, now opened to the majesty of a new morning.